New Boeing B-52 upgrade to increase smart weapons capacity by half

By BA Staff

B-52H. Photo courtesy US Air Force

Boeing will continue to increase the B-52 bomber’s effectiveness and versatility under a new U.S. Air Force contract that calls for the aircraft’s smart weapons capacity to expand by 50 percent.

Under the $24.6 million agreement, Boeing will develop a modification to existing weapon launchers so the aircraft can carry smart weapons in the bomb bay, allowing aircrews to use the B-52’s entire weapons capacity.

 Scot Oathout, B-52 program director said:

“When you combine that ability with the extremely long flying time of the B-52, you have an efficient and versatile weapon system that is very valuable to warfighters on the ground. This weapons capacity expansion joins the CONECT program, a comprehensive communication upgrade currently being installed on the aircraft, to give the warfighter even more flexibility.”

Boeing will produce three prototype launchers for test and evaluation. Initial capability is expected in March 2016, and potential follow-on efforts could add additional weapons and allow a mixed load of different types of weapons. Following the upgrade’s first phase, the B-52s will be able to carry 24 500-pound Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) or 20 2,000-pound JDAMs. Later phases will add the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) and its extended range variant (JASSM-ER), as well as the Miniature Air Launched Decoy (MALD) and its jammer variant (MALD/J).

The bomb bay upgrade will also enable the B-52 to carry weapons internally only, increasing fuel efficiency in flight. The modernization work will use parts from existing Air Force rotary launchers re-purposed for conventional missions, as well as hardware and software already developed for the wing pylons.

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Boeing Begins Assembling 3rd KC-46A Tanker Aircraft

By BA Staff

Boeing is assembling a third KC-46A test aircraft for the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation aerial refueling tanker program at the company’s Everett factory, keeping the program on schedule to complete production of four test aircraft by the third quarter of 2014.

Maureen Dougherty, Boeing vice president and KC-46 Tanker program manager said:

“In addition to the three KC-46A tankers now in production, our System Integration Labs are operational and we’re assembling a second boom. We remain on track to deliver the initial 18 KC-46A tankers by 2017.”

The KC-46A is based on the Boeing 767 commercial jetliner, a proven airframe in service as an airliner, freighter and tanker. Boeing has delivered more than 1,050 767s worldwide.

 Scott Campbell, vice president and general manager of the 767 program said:

"Our teams are maintaining their focus on quality and productivity as we move the first tankers through production."

The first test aircraft will roll out early next year. The first test flight of a fully provisioned KC-46A tanker is projected for early 2015, and the first delivery of a production aircraft to the Air Force is planned for early 2016. Boeing expects to build 179 tankers by 2027 if all options under the contract are exercised.

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Video: Pilot asked to hold for "VIP movement" responds "We're more important than they are"

A humorous way to start the week.

All of us in India has experienced a disruption in our lives due to "VIP movement".

This video from Jenf777 on a humorous exchange between the air traffic controller at Boston's Logan airport and the pilot of American Airlines 573. After hearing the exchange, all I could think, we need to get some more pilots like him in India, may then Indian airports will not be shut down for hours whenever there is a "VIP movement".

ATC: American 573 Roger. Uh...let's see. Hold your push [back]. Stay with me. You'll be number three to push ...... due to VIP movement ...... the airport's stopped.

AA573 Pilot: Due to what??

ATC: Uh..VIP movement.

AA573: What's that?

ATC: That's a Very Important Person that's moving and nobody else can move.

AA573. We're more important than they are.

ATC:  I wouldn't argue with you, but you've got to stop right there for now.

Another ATC controller (which the AA pilot can hear): Air Force One [The US President's plane] Boston Tower good morning. Winds three-two-zero at one three, runway four right, cleared for take-off.

Air Force One pilot: Air Force One cleared for take off four right, thanks.

What would be your rejoinder to the American Airlines pilot if you were the air traffic controller? Post a comment. Keep it humorous in the spirit of the story.

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Photo Essay: Aero India 2013 - Inauguration Day images

The ninth edition of Aero India opened late and missing a few performers, notably the Russian Knights air display team, which have still not reached the show by the end of the second day.

A photo essay on some of the performers on the first day.

A Dassault Rafale B takes off during the inaugural ceremony at Aero India 2013. The Rafale is the fighter that has been selected by the Indian Air-force for its MMRCA requirement.

A United States Air-force Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 50 from the 14th Fighter Squadron based out of Misawa Air Base in Japan.

The venerable de Havilland DH 82 Tiger Moth now fully restored, performs.

The HAL Rudra Mk-IV helicopter which is an armed version of the HAL Dhruv, achieved initial operational clearance on 4th February 2013.

A close up of the Rudra as it comes in to land, the pilot can be seen looking at the runway

The new Indian Air Force Embraer EMB-145 AEWCS fitted with the AESA radar array.

The HAL Light Combat Helicopter.

A USAF C-17 of the the 535th Airlift Squadron which is part of the 15th Wing at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. The wing is of the KC-135 tanker which accompanied the F-16's from Japan.

The new Pilatus PC-7 Mk-2 basic trainer of the Indian Air-force.

The Mil Mi-17B-5 is the latest troop carrier of the Indian Air-force.

The HAL Tejas Mk I Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program.

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